Wakefield Council election count underway

Laura Drysdale

Votes have been verified and the Wakefield Council local election count is underway.

Nationally, as English councils begin declaring their results, there has been no changes in overall control of any of the councils.

Current Wakefield Council leader Coun Peter Box, who is standing for Labour in the Altofts and Whitwood ward, said: “I think it is fair to say at this moment the national picture is looking as though Labour is increasing its vote from the last year in terms of support in the local elections.

“This is very positive when you bear in mind some of the stories you have been hearing that it is going to be a very bad night for us.

“In councils where results have already been declared, Labour have held their control.

“At this stage it is too early to say in terms of the Wakefield picture but we have tried to make a very positive case as to what the local council is doing and I think that message has resounded with people.

“I also think that people realise there is a difference between the national political picture and what is happening locally.

“Locally, people do seem to be supporting the fact we have been investing in the future and we have tried to manage the budget in very difficult times and focus on the matters that local people care about.”

Philip Booth, the West Yorkshire area chairman of the Conservatives said he was hopeful the party would gain from Labour locally.

He said: “Nationally, we are holding our own and things could improve.

“As for us in Wakefield, out of the whole of West Yorkshire the Wakefield area still seems to be entrenched in voting Labour.

“But we still keep ploughing on and hopefully we will achieve our goals.

“I think the public can see the results being made nationally by our party and they still have confidence in the Conservatives.

“I fully expect that we will hold on to the seats we have got here in Wakefield and we can probably make about three gains.”